Monika Panayotova attended the Program for Young Political Leaders which took place in the U.S.A from the 21st of September to the 9th of October 2009

12/10/09

The European regional project “Current social, political and economical problems for young European Political Leaders” will took place in the U.S.A from the 21st of September to the 9th of October. The target of the project was familiarise the young political leaders with the current social, political and economical problems on different levels – Federal, State and those which are connected to the local government in the United States of America. The attendants had the chance to gain better knowledge about the United States Foreign and State politics and the wide variety of factors and beliefs which form the shape of the plural politic of the United States. There was a special focus on the important role of the young in the political process and their influence in the new administration.

The program was attended by European leaders from different spheres – politics, administration, business and media. Bulgaria was represented by Monika Panayotova – Chairwoman of MGERB and Member of Parliament in the 41st National Assembly.

The program started in Washington, D.C. with a short walkthrough on American Federalism and a sightseeing tour of the U.S. Capital. The participants met with representatives from the Department of State and the Department of Defence and discussed their role in foreign politics as well as current affairs. A main topic was the relations between NATO and the European Union as well as the relations with Russia. The participants had the unique opportunity to visit the United States Department of Defense – The Pentagon where they discussed questions connected with international security concerning Iran and Afghanistan.

The group also met with lobbyists, academics and representatives from “Think Tank” organisations. They explained the role of the media and the lobbyists in America’s political and health care system. The main topic of discussion here was the reform in the health care system and the civil opinion on the matter. The International Economic Crisis was discussed as a chance for change. Change can happen when the market is rebalanced on the different levels – environment, finance, real economy, capital and labour force.

Among the participants in the program were Clyde Wilcox Ph D (Professor teaching Management in the Georgetown University), Congresswoman Linda Sánchez, David Cantor Ph. D (Managing Director with the Glover Park Group), Mr. Robert Moran (Executive Vice President at StrategyOne), Melanie Sloan (The Executive Director of Citizens for responsibility and ethics in Washington) and many more.

After the conclusion of the program in Washington the group divided into three new separate groups and traveled in different directions. They traveled towards San Diego, California, Portland, Oregon and Seattle. The target of the division was to focus on different local governments, social and health care policy, education and civil rights. Participants in the regional program were local civil associations, non government organisations supporting immigrants, representatives from local associations, students and academic staff. Visits to small seaside towns from the West Side were also planned so the participants could meet the local population and discuss questions on state, national and global scale. The young leaders had the opportunity to stay overnight at local families from the seaside towns and exchange life experience.

The group of Monika Panayotova went to Seattle. There they met the deputy mayor and representatives from the Council. They discussed the role of the local government as well as the upcoming elections for mayor in Seattle in November. Some other important questions were health care and education. A series of meetings took place with OneAmerica and El Centro de la Raza – organisations taking care of the problems of immigrants, discrimination and criminal activity of the minorities.

The young leaders visited the University of Washington and especially the wing dedicated to European Studies. They also visited a college in the small town of Roslyn where every participant introduced his country. Monika Panayotova introduced the political situation in Bulgaria and mentioned the fact that the role of the young people has greatly increased in the new Bulgarian government. She gave an example with MGERB whose members have become a valuable part of the executive and legislative government.

The groups met up in Madison, Wisconsin and in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where they learned about the role of the governments politic in the development of agriculture.

The program ended in New York. The main topic discussed there was the foreign policy of North America and particularly the relations with the EU, the American Mission to the UN and the policy concerning the Middle East region. Special attention was given to the conflict in Iran and Afghanistan and the role of NATO and the UN for its resolve. As an end to the event the whole group visited Broadway and had a tour of New York before heading home the next day.

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The selection for MGERB’s Third Political Academy has finished

05/10/09

The selection for MGERB’s Third Political Academy took place on the 3rd and 4th of October at the Imperial Park Hotel in Plovdiv.

The selection to the Academy was similar to the last two Academies held by MGERB. There were several stages which determined weather the candidate is accepted to the Academy. The candidates had to submit a CV and if they were selected they needed to pass a series of psychological tests, write an essay and prove themselves in a debate. In total there were 71 youths from all corners of Bulgaria. They had a couple of hours to fill in their tests and choose and write an essay on one of the following topics: “The effective leader” or “My strong sides, which can help GERB”. After the written work the candidates took part in several debates: “The pros and cons for a quick educational reform”, “The pros and cons for returning the political past in our country” and “The pros and cons for increasing the minimum pension application age”.

The psychologist and Member of Parliament from GERB Irena Sokolova and the vice-dean of the Faculty of Education to the Plovdiv University Rumen Stamatov monitored the selection process. The Third Political Academy will begin at the end of October in Pazardzhik.

MGERB took part in the consecutive IRI seminar

19/09/09

From the 16th to the 19th of September the International Republican Institute (IRI) held a consecutive training seminar for young leaders in Bratislava, Slovakia. Irina Velkova a member of MGERB Sofia was MGERB’s representative to the seminar.

The main topic of the seminar was how to reach and communicate with the voting citizens concerning elections for National Parliaments. Apart from the theoretic trainings the young leaders took part in many interactive trainings as well. They learned how to reach the voters through the Media and how to use the most efficient social networks and the Internet in the best possible way for the campaign. The young leaders also learned how to lead open and transparent policies. A simulation of an upcoming election was held on the last day of the seminar. It included strategy-making and setting priorities for the elections. It will lead up to a realisation of the campaign and the communication with the voters and the setting up of a volunteer network, which will take part in fulfilling the priorities of a political party. The participants took the role of strategists and devised an imaginary candidacy for mayor.

50 youths visited the National Assembly invited by Monika Panayotova Member of Parliament and Chairwoman of MGERB

18/09/09

On Friday the 18th of September 50 youths from Sofia and Plovdiv visited the National Assembly on a day of Parliamentary Control. They were invited by Monika Panayotova – Member of Parliament and the Chairwoman of MGERB.

They could observe the procedures connected with parliamentary control and were able to witness how the MP’s used the function of parliamentary control on the ministers. MGERB also managed to propose their green idea to the President of the 41st National Assembly – Mrs. Tsetska Tsacheva. The proposal goes under the heading “Go on-line”. The Youth of GERB wants to point the attention of the MP’s towards environmental awareness and the optimisation of work resources.

The idea was proposed by Stefka Ikonomova the Organisational Secretary of the National Executive Council of MGERB, Joanna Dochevska Coordinator of MGERB Sofia and Rozaliya Mizeva Coordinator of MGEBR Plovdiv. After the meeting with Mrs. Tsetska Tsacheva the youths went through the corridors of one of the most historic building in Bulgaria. They learned about Bulgaria’s Parliament and will remember the good experience when they look through the photos they took.  

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To Mrs. Tsetska Tsacheva
President of the 41^st National Assembly

P R O P O S A L

From the Youth of GERB /MGERB/

“Go on-line”

Dear Mrs. Tsetska Tsacheva,

We would like to direct your attention towards a reform in the current administrative function of the 41^st National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria with the green idea “Go on-line” by our organisation.

We would like to propose the following measures which will decrease the paperwork handled by the National Assembly.

• To provide the information needed for plenary sessions, the work of the commissions and for parliamentary control in an electronic format.
• To project the needed information through multimedia, so it can be accessed in a fast and efficient manner.
• To only print documents which are pre requested by the secretariat of the political parties beforehand.

We live in a century dedicated to information. When this fact is combined with our green idea we can reach many efficient results, which will save time, resources and will ensure the optimization of the whole work process.

“Go on-line” is our appeal to you as the President of the 41^st National Assembly, which has the ambition to be open towards innovative ideas. We would be glad if our green idea manages to ease the work of the MP’s. It is also synchronized with the environment.

We remain ready for further dialogue concerning our proposal.

Sofia

18.09.2009

Monika Panayotova: 2009 Year of the West Balkans?

15/09/09

Many suggest that 2009 will be the year of the West Balkans, but is this really true?

If we make a quick analysis of what’s happening in Europe we will notice that there are three main problems which stand before the West Balkans and their chance of joining the EU. None of these problems can be measured on the same scale however all of them need to be solved. Those problems are the Global Financial Crisis, the two way dispute between countries members of the EU and the countries who want membership from the West Balkans and the possibility for the denial of the Lisbon Treaty.

In order to paint the whole picture we need to view how these factors look through the eyes of the European Institutions.

Concerning the World Financial Crisis the European Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn comments: “We must not turn the enlargement of the EU into a victim of the World Financial Crisis, because it does not deserve this and isn’t guilty for our social problems”.

The commission on Foreign Policy is working on a resolution concerning the second problem - the blocking of three Balkan countries – Croatia, The Republic of Macedonia and Serbia by respectively Slovenia, Greece and The Netherlands. The resolution will state that, “countries who are Members of the European Union do not have the right to block countries who want to join on a basis of a two way conflict”.

Concerning the third problem, Olli Rehn says that after the Irish “No” to the Lisbon Treaty the enlargement of the EU is not the biggest issue at the moment. But countries such as Croatia or Serbia shouldn’t be the casualties as a result from this. “My motto states, it is better to export stability rather then import instability”.

If we base our statement on what’s said above we can say that the problems are easily solved, but is this true?

If we start from the saying that states “Strong Balkans, strong Europe” and we view the perspective for membership of the countries from the West Balkans we can state that membership in the EU will help stabilize the West Balkan region, will help ensure liberal democracy and will spread European values. The enlargement of the EU is very important process and as much as a positive answer is wanted it can not be given at the moment.

The Financial Crisis is raising many questions before the future perspective of the West Balkans concerning the economic situation in Eastern Europe. The collapse of money value, the deficit on current accounts, loans in foreign currency and the heavy recession will lead to a crisis with the Euro if there is a collapse in the Eastern Europe Economy.

The foggy position of the public is also a factor which adds to the insecurity. At the current moment no one knows how the integration of Croatia, Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and Albania continue. The fogginess also reacts on the potential members. It takes effect on the chance for compromises to be made and the urge to actually join the EU. The problem can clearly be seen before Presidential Elections or elections for National Parliament where political parties can win or lose the support of voting citizens. A clear perspective for membership needs to be delivered to the countries from the West Balkans.

Concerning the two way conflicts, despite the efforts put forth on a national level the international conflicts still keep growing.

The urgency for improving the fight against organized crime and taking anti-corruption actions still figures in all European reports concerning the waiting members and the potential members from the West Balkans.

The denial of the Lisbon Treaty makes it institutionally impossible for more countries to join the EU, because of the Treaty signed in Nice early in the XX centaury.

This leads to the next important question that the future acceptance of new countries will lead to a change in the integration model. The current model of the EU – Sovereign Countries gradually starts to shift and becomes more and more like EU – Federation. Many political science experts are putting there thoughts on this question.

In the context of the West Balkans the arrow clearly points away from the Treaty signed in Nice to the Lisbon Treaty. The structure of the whole integration process goes towards a Federation, which leads to tighter integration.

This can especially be said for the countries from the West Balkans who have been part of a Federation – Yugoslavia. This will be a new historical chance for identification in a bigger society. The mistakes of the past must not be repeated. European Identity needs to be universal, unreligious and there must be political identity. The European politic must not be ethicized. The civil rights for joining the Union need must be the most important. This is the only way the model of a Federation can turn out successive and universal.

All in all as a conclusion we can say that the acceptance of the West Balkans in the Union is not possible before the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty. But if it is accepted we can say that 2009 is the Year of the Balkans and of the whole European Union. The enlargement exports stability and will lead to changes in the Union and the whole integration model, which will lead towards a Federation with the necessity of a clear European Identification.

Monika Panayotova
Member of Parliament in the 41st National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria  

Director of “International Projects and relations with Society” (2007-2008)
Economic Policy Institute

The young want the politicians to talk directly

11/09/09

The European Union ensures security on the Balkans. We have the chance to be the leader in the Black Sea region concerning European politics. Europe isn’t something that’s happening beside us. We are part of Europe.

Interview made by Rositza Coneva for bulgaria-news.bg

Miss Panayotova what are GERB’s political arguments concerning the future European Commissioner? The President of the EPP – Mr. Wilfried Martens, states that the next Bulgarian European Commissioner needs to be a candidate from GERB, despite the good results achieved so far by Miss Meglena Kuneva as European Commissioner?
 
I would like to start with the words of Mr. Wilfried Martens, during the visit of Mr. Borissov and our delegation, which included Ministers. They weren’t said without a reason and are the latest praise to our MEP’s in the last European Parliament. The EPP has the majority in the current European Parliament and Mr. Martens shows support for the hard work of GERB in the family of the EPP. There is an institutional triangle in the EU. This year we had the unique chance to witness a change in our Government, a new European Parliament was chosen and a new European Commission will be assembled. The EPP has the majority in the European Parliament and the Prime Minister and the Ministers take part in the Council of the European Union, so it is normal to fill in the European Commission with a representative from the ruling majority, in this case from GERB, as this has become the normal procedure. So from one side the full responsibility for future actions can be taken and from the other a better synchronization can be achieved in our actions. We have the hard task to earn back the trust that our country has lost before the European Institutions and to renew the European funding. We need to improve our Foreign Policy and as a member of the EU on the Balkan Peninsula help neighboring countries who are not part of the EU become part of it.

Is this going to be a priority in our Foreign Policy?
 
Yes it is. The European Commissioner needs to be an expert in their field of work, but his function is also political. It is important and it can’t be denied that there is political logic for the next European Commissioner to be from GERB. We can’t make a prediction at this point about the role of the future Bulgarian Commissioner in the European Commission. That’s because the new President for the European Commission need to be chosen. If it is Mr. Borroso, as a representative of the EPP there will be easier communication, because we belong to the same European family. In all case without commenting on names I am sure that GERB will choose the right person for the position of European Commissioner.  All of the different European Commissions are important and I hope that our candidate will be competent and be able to speak well before the European Parliament. The responsibility to find the balance between defending the rights of his country and the right of the whole EU will fall on his shoulders. The European Commission defends the best interests of the Union, the European Parliament defends the best interests of the European citizens and the Council of Europe defends the best interests of all the countries members of the EU.

How will GERB defend Bulgaria’s national interests before the European Institutions, despite the cliché that in Brussels everyone defends the European interests? It is known that the representatives of Greece, Poland – the bad child of Eastern Europe and Romania defend their own National priorities?
 
I am sure that the colleagues in the European Parliament will be extremely active. It is good that after the Lisbon Treaty takes effect the communication between the EU and the National Governments will become greater and more stable. The majority in the EP and in our own Government ensures that we would be able to fulfill our policies. Now European politic is connected to our lives and effects on our daily standards. The voice of the Bulgarians will be heard through our representatives in the European Union.

What needs to change in our foreign policy? Do we use the full capacity of our seventeen MEP?
 
All of them are part of their own political family in the European Parliament. The more authority there is in those families the better our priorities will be defended in Brussels. You see every MEP can make a change and is important. At the meeting of the EPP Mr. Borissov and Mrs. Merkel sit on the same level in other words everyone has their authority and can express their opinion. We are part of Europe and we need to have European mentality. Let’s show our experience and our potential. We have the chance to be the leader in the Black Sea region concerning European politics.
 
Would it be a remote bomb if the Irish say “No” to the Lisbon treaty again?
 
I sincerely hope that the Irish wouldn’t say “No” to the Treaty. If the Lisbon treaty is blocked that would block the acceptance of new members to the European Union, especially here on the Balkans. For example Croatia is on the verge on acceptance in the EU. All of the potential members will be blocked, because it would be able to happen on institutional level. This will put a stop to the perspective for those countries. I think it is very important for the Lisbon Treaty to be accepted and to take effect.  This will ensure stability on the Balkans and give more weight to the National Parliaments which will be a sign of change in the European integration model.

Is there a B-plan if Ireland says “No”?
 
Actually the Lisbon treaty is the B-plan of the European Constitution. If the Lisbon Treaty is not accepted I suppose that there will be a similar treaty which will be made, but all of this takes time. It is interesting that the negative vote in France and The Netherlands wasn’t because of the document, but citizens reacted with a negative vote, because of their countries National politics.

Does the European Administration find the needed language? The new cliché for a “Brussels Language”, isn’t a coincidence, is it?
 
It tries. The EPP took as a priority to be close to the people. The new generation prefers to call things with their real name. It wants the politicians to speak in a new way – more direct and more naturally. Which is good.